What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
perceive
Example
I perceive a faint smell of smoke. [perceive: verb]
Example
She perceived his tone as sarcastic. [perceived: past tense]
notice
Example
Did you notice the new painting on the wall? [notice: verb]
Example
He took no notice of her warning. [notice: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Notice is more commonly used than perceive in everyday language, especially in informal contexts. Perceive is more commonly used in formal or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between perceive and notice?
Perceive is generally considered more formal than notice. While notice is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, perceive is typically reserved for more formal or academic settings.